There’s a driving revolution coming, and it’s closer than you think. Electric motors are growing increasingly common—either powering cars on their own or working alongside standard internal combustion engines as part of a hybrid technology.
Although a large-scale switch to electrification—largely driven by environmental pressures—will be slow to take hold, luxury brands are firmly on board: Jaguar, Bentley, and Audi will all debut electrified vehicles this year, and the number available from top auto-makers is only expected to increase over the next decade.
Electrification won’t just change what’s inside a vehicle, though—it will also change how cars look. “With electrification, you can expect changes in proportion and architecture,” said Stefan Sielaff, Bentley’s director of design. For example, radiator grilles—no longer required for cooling—may be replaced by front-end displays that convey information about the car to onlookers; side mirrors may disappear in favor of cameras. Plus, due in part to the rise of autonomous driving technology, interiors are expected to feel more spacious, with front seats that swivel to face rear passengers as the focus shifts from driving to connecting with the surrounding world.
Here’s a look at some of most exciting luxury electric cars debuting this year.
